NFL

[strike wolf]

Shouldn't listen too much in to that

Looks like the Lions game will come down to one last 4th down play with 8 secs left.

[strike wolf]

Ok what happened in the Lions game? viewing the play thing on ESPN doesn't really explain it...

[oVo]

Lions hold on to a 5 point lead to beat the Redskins.
Giants hold Buccaneers to just 86 yards total offense
and Farve gets it done with 2 seconds to spare.

The Bengals convert two fourth downs on their final drive of the game
and score a touchdown in the final seconds to upset Pittsburgh.
I picked Detroit to beat Washington, but this game was my upset pick of the week.

[Army of GOD]

Broncos almost 3-0?

[Woodruff]

So let me get this straight...

The Tennessee Titans are not the Titans, they're the Oilers...but the New York Jets are not the Jets, they're the Titans? <grin>

[oVo]

Those throwback NFL uniforms are pretty damn ugly,
Tennessee Titans were once the Houston Oilers
and the Jets uniforms looked like the Steelers
and oddly enough, they played like 'em today.

[Frigidus]

Bears pull through, although against such a beat up team I was hoping for a blowout...instead I get another traumatizing nail biter. Seriously, can't we just have a normal week?

[oVo]

3-0
Saints
Giants
Vikings
Ravens
Jets
Colts
Broncos

0-3
Titans
Dolphins
Panthers
Buccaneers
Browns
Chiefs
Rams

One half gone in The Shootout In The Desert and so far it's the Colts with the ammo,
but the Refs totally missed a defenders grab of Fitzgerald in the end zone.
A flagrant penalty that should have resulted in 1st & Goal for the Cards.

Speaking of no call penalties, when did it become legitimate for offensive lineman
to grab hold of the shoulder pads of the defenders rushing the quarterback ? The
O-Lines of the Patriots, Steelers and Colts do it all the time or maybe it's only done
when a referee doesn't have a clear view of the play and it simply shows up on the
replay cameras.

[Woodruff]

but the Refs totally missed a defenders grab of Fitzgerald in the end zone.
A flagrant penalty that should have resulted in 1st & Goal for the Cards.

That was a pretty bad miss. About the only worse missed call I can remember seeing
personally was the facemask on Eric Crouch (I think) by a K-State defender in the
backfield with nobody else anywhere near the two - completely turned Crouch's
neck 180 degrees.

Speaking of no call penalties, when did it become legitimate for offensive lineman
to grab hold of the shoulder pads of the defenders rushing the quarterback ? The
O-Lines of the Patriots, Steelers and Colts do it all the time or maybe it's only done
when a referee doesn't have a clear view of the play and it simply shows up on the
replay cameras.

It's the Michael Jordan rules, of course...gotta protect the franchise (as in the
NFL television franchise) quarterbacks.

[oVo]

Well I agree with the rules that attempt to protect the quarterbacks
since they take a lot of extra hits and occasional cheap shots. But
letting the linemen grab the defensive ends' shoulder pads sure took
a lot of pressure off of Brady in that game and allowed them to make
a few big plays. It wasn't as blatant in the other games, with the
exception of the grab that kept Fitzgerald from breaking free in the
Indianapolis end zone.

The Fitzgerald grab was a smart defensive play, since he would have
been uncovered for a touchdown. Had the penalty been called it
would have left Arizona on the two yard line with time for two quick
plays at best before the half.

[HapSmo19]

Speaking of no call penalties, when did it become legitimate for offensive lineman
to grab hold of the shoulder pads of the defenders rushing the quarterback ?

I didn't see the play you're talking about but I think it's legal to grab on as long as it's inside the shoulders.

[thegreekdog]

Speaking of no call penalties, when did it become legitimate for offensive lineman
to grab hold of the shoulder pads of the defenders rushing the quarterback ?

I didn't see the play you're talking about but I think it's legal to grab on as long as it's inside the shoulders.

As long as offensive linemen are holding onto the shoulder pads inside the shoulders, they are fine.

Speaking of penalties... a lot of offensive pass interference was called on those WR bubble screens that everyone likes to run. Glad to see that's being called now. Hines Ward can't go hit a CB before the pass is caught.

[oVo]

That receiver pick in the Steelers game was way too blatant and nobody gets away with that one. It's designed for the defenders to run into each other, but that doesn't always happen. The play I was referring to, New England has a 3-0 lead and is in Atlanta territory 3rd & 8. Brady's in the shotgun and the Falcon's defensive end is coming in on his back side fast. The retreating offensive tackle reaches out with his left hand and grabs his shoulder pad at the armpit and turns him just enough for Brady to complete the pass for a first down. The play happens really fast, but on the replay it sure looks like holding.

Last night in the Cowboys game... when Romo scrambles out of the pocket to his right, an O lineman has a grip of the D-end's jersy with one hand right at the top of his number. The 19 yard pass completion is called back for the "hold" that didn't even deter the rusher. Commentator John Gruden says, "oh man, that's nothin' there's worse holds on almost every single down that aren't called... the refs gotta let 'em play."

Nobody will ever replace John Madden in the booth BOOM! but Gruden's got good insight into the game and is a welcome addition.

[oVo]

Week 4

Lions @ Bears
Bengals @ Browns
Raiders @ Texans
Seahawks @ Colts
Titans @ Jaguars . . . Titans remain winless
Giants @ Chiefs
Ravens @ Patriots
Buccaneers @ Redskins . . . Bucs remain winless
Bills @ Dolphins . . . Miami Rolls over Buffalo
Jets @ Saints . . . a pair of unbeatens face off
Cowboys @ Broncos . . . Kyle Orton is 4-0 as a Bronco
Rams @ 49ers
Chargers @ Steelers
Packers @ Vikings ... the Vikes are 4-0

9 - 5 . . . 38 - 24

[InsomniaRed]

Vikings...obviously.

[oVo]

I think Green Bay has more incentive, because they need to keep pace
with Minnesota, but the Vikings have the home field advantage
and that old Farve magic is still there.

It's going to be interesting seeing Brett take on his old team,
but the Packers just might sneak past.
I picked the Bears but I'm pulling for the Lions.
21 all at the half... it's a shootout!

[Frigidus]

I picked the Bears but I'm pulling for the Lions.
21 all at the half... it's a shootout!

Huge relief that we kicked ass in the second half. Our defense is looking very Jeckyll/Hyde so far...first half we can't stop a high school team, second half we shut everyone down. It's really wearing on me.

[Frigidus]

In other news, Titans are looking a lot less like the best 0-3 team in a long time and a lot more like a slightly above average 0-4. It's gone from not performing when it matters to not performing.

They now share the cellar with the Browns, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and very possibly the Rams, Panthers, and Dolphins.

Who do you guys think will be the last to get a win? My bet is on the Bucs.

[Army of GOD]

4-0! 4-0! 4-0! 4-0! 4-0! 4-0!


Broncos btw.

[oVo]

Tennessee looks DOA... Browns & Bucs got really close and the Chiefs made an effort
while the Rams dialed up a huge goose egg. Carolina had a much needed week off.

The mythological implications of two closing minute Kyle Orton passes for touchdowns
in two of the Broncos first four games is scary. It must be the mustache.

FEAR THE STASH!

[Frigidus]

Tennessee looks DOA... Browns & Bucs got really close and the Chiefs made an effort
while the Rams dialed up a huge goose egg. Carolina had a much needed week off.

The mythological implications of two closing minute Kyle Orton passes for touchdowns
in two of the Broncos first four games is scary. It must be the mustache.

FEAR THE STASH!

I mean, he doesn't even have his neckbeard any more!

[oVo]

I don't remember any of that freakish bs happening when he was in the Windy City,
so there must be something about the Mile High City that agrees with him.

[strike wolf]

In other news, Titans are looking a lot less like the best 0-3 team in a long time and a lot more like a slightly above average 0-4. It's gone from not performing when it matters to not performing.

They now share the cellar with the Browns, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and very possibly the Rams, Panthers, and Dolphins.

Who do you guys think will be the last to get a win? My bet is on the Bucs.

I'd say either the Bucs or the Browns.

[strike wolf]

What's the word on Stafford and Eli? Stafford went out but when they showed him standing on the sidelines (I think it was after the injury but I'm not sure was watching highlights) he didn't seem to be in too much pain. Eli's doesn't sound serious but there's always the possibility it could be worse than it appears.

[jay_a2j]

In other news, Titans are looking a lot less like the best 0-3 team in a long time and a lot more like a slightly above average 0-4. It's gone from not performing when it matters to not performing.

They now share the cellar with the Browns, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and very possibly the Rams, Panthers, and Dolphins.

Who do you guys think will be the last to get a win? My bet is on the Bucs.

I'd say either the Bucs or the Browns.

Well it ain't MIAMI!!!!! Go Phins!!!!